Bangalore to Host I-League 2nd Division Final Round

After successfully hosting the group A qualifying matches of the I-League 2nd division, it is now the turn of the same host to carry the final round matches. So a month-long non-stop football bonanza is waiting for football loving fans of Bangalore.

I-League CEO, Sunanda Dhar, in his last month visit during the ongoing Group A qualifiers suggested the probable venue could be either Delhi or Bangalore. The latter was favored because of the better weather conditions during summer.

6 teams from 3 groups who have qualified from the previous round plus last years I-League 1st division relegated team Mohammedan Sporting and Vasco will be playing in the round robin format. The matches will be played from April 30 thru May 25.

Malabar United and HAL have been qualified from Group A, Sesa Football Academy (Goa) and ONGC (Mumbai) have been qualified from Group B, and NISA (Manipur) and Oil India Limited (Assam) have been qualified from Group C.

Each round consisting of 4 matches will be played in 2 days time. There will be a rest of 2 days between each round. Match timings are not yet confirmed by the AIFF. But looking at the way it was followed during the qualifying matches, the first match of the day will be played at 2 pm followed by the second match at 4 pm. All the matches will be played in the Bangalore Football Stadium.

Round 1

• Friday, April 30, 2010: Vasco Sports Club versus Sesa Football Academy
• Friday, April 30, 2010: HAL versus Malabar United
• Saturday, May 1, 2010: Mohammedan Sporting Club versus ONGC
• Saturday, May 1, 2010: NISA, Manipur versus Oil India

Round 2

• Tuesday, May 4, 2010: Malabar United versus Sesa Football Academy
• Tuesday, May 4, 2010: HAL versus Oil India
• Wednesday, May 5, 2010: Vasco Sports Club versus ONGC
• Wednesday, May 5, 2010: NISA, Manipur versus Mohammedan Sporting Club

Round 3

• Saturday, May 8, 2010: Sesa Football Academy versus Oil India
• Saturday, May 8, 2010: Malabar United versus ONGC
• Sunday, May 9, 2010: Vasco Sports Club versus NISA, Manipur
• Sunday, May 9, 2010: HAL versus Mohammedan Sporting Club

Round 4

• Wednesday, May 12, 2010: Oil India versus ONGC
• Wednesday, May 12, 2010: Sesa Football Academy versus Mohammedan Sporting Club
• Thursday, May 13, 2010: Malabar United versus NISA, Manipur
• Thursday, May 13, 2010: HAL versus Vasco Sports Club

 

Round 5

• Sunday, May 16, 2010: Mohammedan Sporting Club versus Oil India      
• Sunday, May 16, 2010: Vasco Sports Club versus Malabar United    
• Monday, May 17, 2010: HAL versus ONGC     
• Monday, May 17, 2010: NISA, Manipur versus Sesa Football Academy     

Round 6

• Thursday, May 20, 2010: HAL versus NISA, Manipur      
• Thursday, May 20, 2010: Vasco Sports Club versus Oil India    
• Friday, May 21, 2010: Mohammedan Sporting Club versus Malabar United    
• Friday, May 21, 2010: ONGC versus Sesa Football Academy     

Round 7

• Monday, May 24, 2010: HAL versus Sesa Football Academy    
• Monday, May 24, 2010: Vasco Sports Club versus Mohammedan Sporting Club    
• Tuesday, May 25, 2010: Oil India versus Malabar United     
• Tuesday, May 25, 2010: NISA, Manipur versus ONGC

HAL on course; BEML blows golden opportunity

Seems like the city giant HAL just waked up in time and thrashed Golden Threads 5-0. In the other match played today, Titanium held BEML to a 1-1 draw. The other city team wasted many chances to gain the top spot in the group A.

HAL shrugged-off the bad memories of the last two matches, they meant business right from the offset. Nigerian striker Fredrick Okwagbe drew the first blood in the 12th minute of the game.

Right through the first-half, the ball was mostly seen in the Golden’s end. In 24th minute,  Satish Kumar (Junior) missed one easy chance to score from a defense scuffle.

HAL took a 2-0 lead in the 40th minute from a corner. Rajendra Prasad’s corner was initially received by Xavier Vijaykumar, which was relayed to Fredrick, and Fredrick’s powerful header was good enough to gave his team a 2-0 lead.

Couple of minutes later, HAL keeper Amar Deb made a complete mess of the situation. He missed the flight and couldn’t hold on to the ball. The goal was unguarded; it could have been a goal for Golden, however, the Golden striker failed to connect the ball.

HAL today displayed a much improved game. They started the 2nd half with same urgency to finish match in style and was it clearly evident in all the departments.

Meanwhile Fredrick scored his hat trick in the 4th minute of 2nd half.

In a counter attack, Golden Thread striker, Sanjay Vennara’s powerfuljavascript:void(0) shot from the left of the box was saved by Amar Deb.

HAL should have scored few more goals. Fredrick and mid-fielder Jotin Singh came very close to scoring. In many occasion, HAL toyed with rival’s defense - but either failed to get past the keeper or put the ball away from the goal.

To keep the resources fresh, skipper Xavier along with few other key players were replaced in the early 2nd half.

Gopi, who replaced Xavier scored the 4th goal in the 88th minute. Medio Vishal Kumar tried passing the ball to Gopi, Golden keeper failed to grab the ball, miscues it, finally Gopi snatched the ball the placed to the goal.

It was Gopi again who scored the 5th goal. In the 92nd minute, Jotin Singh took a shot, which was bounced by the keeper, an alert Gopi collected the ball and placed to the opponent’s goal.

It was an exhibition of missed chances displayed in the BEML – Titanium match. BEML dominated the first-half, however, they failed to convert from the many chances that came their way.

BEML midfield suffered a blow when veteran Mahendra Mani was replaced at the later stages of the first-half. Hayath Khalander was brought in at the central midfield position. Hayath, who primarily plays as an attacking midfielder was effective in the first half.

BEML took lead in the 55th minute, a penalty was awarded to BEML when Cleetus handled the ball inside the box. Defender Alesh Shamaki made no mistake in placing the ball to the extreme right of the goal.

Their joy was short-lived!

Mani’s service was majorly missed in the 2nd half. There was no one to hold the ball for BEML; there was a flurry of attack from Titanium from the middle. In the 65th minute Boniface crossed the ball for Abdul Hameed, Hameed to the much delight of Titanium, headed the ball to the goal.

A win should have ensured BEML a birth to the final round of the 2nd  division I-League. Now, much would depend on the outcome of the result between tomorrows match between, Malabar United and SBT.

HAL plays their last match of the group against SBT on next Wednesday, April 14, 4 pm. BEML plays their last match on Thursday, April 15, 4 pm.

Result:

• HAL 5 (Fredrick Okwagbe 12', 40', and 49' and Gopi 88' and 90+2') beat Golden Threads 0
• BEML 1 (Alesh Shamaki-55') versus Titanium 1 (Abdul Hameed-65')

Mondays Match:

Malabar United versus SBT, 4 pm

KSFA Facilitates Xavier VijayKumar

KSFA today felicitated HAL captain Xavier VijayKumar, winner of the Karnataka State Government’s Ekalavya award for the year 2008.

BEML wallops Chandni, brighten their chances to qualify for final round

BEML tore apart Chandni FC’s defense and pumped 6 goals in the first match of the day 9 of I-League 2nd Division Group A qualifiers. In another match played today, Malabar United beat Golden Threads 2-1.

It was one of those days when every thing went in favor for BEML and they shone in every department – their midfield led by Mahendra Mani totally controlled the game and provided accurate long passes, both the flanks moved up and down, defense was compact, and most importantly, their foreign striker Hamza regained his form, and scored a hat-trick for his team.

In the 8th minute of the game Hamza scored the first goal from a header, Don Bosco’s corner kick was spot on, and Hamza made no mistake.

In a very similar fashion BEML got their second goal in 21st minute, Ticken Singh took a shot from the left corner, Hamza timed his jump to perfection, and headed the ball to Chandni’s goal.

Hamza missed a couple of chances to increase his tally in 34th minute. RC Prakash centered the ball to and he took a quick shot at the goal, an alert Chandni goalkeeper saved a sure goal. A minute later RC made a similar move, but Hamza failed to reach to the ball.

The 3rd goal came in the 44th minute, when hard working right-winger Don Bosco passed the ball and RC Prakash, and the former national player placed the ball the far side post.

After exchanging ends, Chandni FC made some quick attacks, however, BEML defense lead by Shamaki and Ramesh thwarted all the attacks. Ramesh in particular had a great day on the field and seldom had he made mistakes.

 In 54th minute, RC was brought down by keeper Naseeb inside the penalty box, Hamza took the kick and completed his hat-trick.

Chandni gave up the game and started playing meaningless football, until striker Javed OK came very close to reduce the margin, but missed an open net. Last match hero for Chandni, Javed was totally off-color today.

Don Bosco’s replacement, young Sharath scored the 5th goal in 89th minute, when he ran a solo from the half-line, dribbled past few defenders, and finally pushed the ball to the goal.

In the 3-minute injury time, Chandni reduced the margin, however, the goal was canceled due to off-side.

A minute later, Mahendra Mani scored the final goal from a free-kick. The keeper was not in a position as the ball went past him.

Result:

• BEML 6 (Hamza-8', 20', and 54' [penalty], R C Prakash-44', Sarath-89', and Mahendra Mani-90+3') beat Chandni F.C 0
• Malabar United (Asif K-70' and Jacken Sebastian-88') 2 beat Golden Threads 1 (Sanjay Vennara-64')

Fridays Match:
 

SBT versus Titanium, 4 pm

HAL squander points again

City’s numero uno team, HAL failed yet again to register full points in the ongoing I-League 2nd Division group A qualifiers against Malabar United at the Bangalore Football Stadium. This is their 3rd consecutive draw in 4 games. In another match, SBT registered their maiden victory over Chandni FC 1-0.

What would have termed as an opportunity to garner full points ended in a tame 1-1 draw and one wonders how HAL was at the receiving end in most of the time.

HAL lacked that extra urge to go for the kill thru the entire game. It was Malabar who went on attacking at the beginning of the game. After raiding HAL’s defense for couple of time, Malabar United opened their account in the 15th minute – overseas player Loveday put a brilliant cross for Sebastian, who fooled the HAL defense, and only had the marching keeper Amar Deb in front. He dribbled past the keeper and shot the ball to the goal.

After conceding the goal, HAL came back to the game and forced couple of corners in quick succession. Fredrick’s goal was cancelled by the referee after he committed foul on Malabar’s keeper.

It was Fredrick Okwagbe again in the 32nd minute followed the ball from a corner in a packed Malabar defense and scored the equalizer.

If it was bad luck and complacency that deprived HAL from winning in their last 2 games, today, it was a poor show in general – the passes were inaccurate in most of the time, midfield lacked coordination with defense, and both the flanks operated slowly. Surely, they missed the service of their midfielder Murali, who was out of the match due to injury.

Malabar missed to score from close range couple of times in the second half. In the 50th minute, Loveday stretched the ball from the half, defeated a defender by pace, and floated the ball for Prasoon, who only failed get past the keeper.

A minute later Prasoon failed to score yet again, and this time goal keeper was not in his position.

HAL too missed easy chances and failed to take lead. Patrick Okwagbe was the culprit in 65th minute, he took too long to shoot the ball to the goal, and finally blocked by the opponents defender.

HAL played aimless football for the later part and many times they were playing the catching game.

HAL needs to win their next game against Golden Threads on Sunday, April 11 to be on a safe zone.

Result:

• HAL 1 (Fredrick Okwagbe 32') versus Malabar United 1 (Jacken Sebastian 15')
• SBT 1 (Mohammad Aslam-74') beat Chandni F.C 0

Tuesday’s match:

Titanium versus Golden Threads, 4pm

Javeed OKays for Chandni FC

Chandni FC registered their first victory in the I-League 2nd division group A Qualifiers by defeating Golden Threads 1-0.

It was an affair of the two Kerala teams, Golden Threads and Chandni FC who were placed at the 2nd and 3rd spot respectively before the match. A win should definitely brighten their hope to qualify for the final round.

Golden Threads started off well with Sanjay Vennara forming majority of the attack. He executed a solo run and a shot that missed the goal closely.

Chandni came back in the middle of the first half with 2 back to back attacks.

2nd half started well for Chandni. Striker Javed OK displayed some excellent skills with the ball, he missed a goal closely in the 59th minute. A minute later, Niyas Rehman’s powerful shot from the top of the penalty box was splendidly saved by the Golden keeper.

Golden Threads made regular counter attacks regularly, however, their long rangers, which they tried very often, went wide.

A big blow came for Threads in the 74th minute, when Shameer was shown marching order by referee, Vijaya Kumar. This was Shameer’s 2nd yellow card in that match; he was flashed yellow card earlier in the first half.

In the very next minute Javeed failed to score one from a corner, however, it was not a long wait for Chandni to score one – keeper Jinesh Thomas was not in his position when Thang Somi snatched the ball from a Golden Threads defender, instead of lobbing the ball above the keeper, Thang Somi passed the ball to Javeed, and Javeed placed the ball to the goal.

With 5 points after 3 rounds, Chandni FC is sitting pretty at 2nd position, next to HAL only on goal difference. Golden Threads slips to 4th position.

Result:

Chandni F.C 1(Javeed O K-79') beat Golden Threads 0

Monday’s match:

• Malabar United versus HAL, 2 pm
• SBT versus Chandni F.C, 4 pm

HAL survives scare against Chandni

 City giant and strong contender to qualify for the I-League 2nd division final leg, HAL struggled, and finally salvaged a draw against Chandni FC, Kozhikode.

HAL started the proceedings by attacking from left to right. Within the first minute of the game, Xavier’s powerful shot from the top of the penalty box was fisted out Chandni keeper Sakeer. Call it a start of a bad omen or what, HAL’s strike to their opponent’s goal was thwarted several times by the crosspiece.

Chandni FC took the lead as early 4th minute of the match. HAL keeper Amar Deb was ahead from the goal when Niaz Reahman smartly lobbed the ball to the far post. The placement was accurate, out of Amar’s reach.

HAL equalized in the 18th minute of the game when skipper Xavier Vijaykumar scored the goal from a defensive lapse.

However, Chandni came back in the game within 2 minutes. In HAL's defense, Satish Kumar (Jr) cleared the ball that hit Naveen Babu’s hand. Referee Arokia Raj awarded penalty for Chandni. Amar Dev’s stretched-dive couldn’t stop Javed O K’s penalty shot from going into the goal.

After conceding the 2nd goal, there was certain urgency from HAL, and they went all-out to pressurize Chandni’s defense.

The match was played in high temper and referee flashed yellow card several times to get a control of the game.

Second-half started in a dull note, with both the teams playing aimless football. HAL looked for an opening but they lacked the fineness of a scorer.

Xavier who primarily plays as a striker would often go down to support the mid-field to control the game. However, while doing so his other striking

partner, Fredrik Okwagbe was left alone without much support. Also, luck didn’t favor them as ball hit the goalpost twice during this time; Chandni keeper was not in a position to save them.

The equalizer came in the dying moments of the match when everybody thought that it was all over for HAL. Substitute Karthigayan centered the ball from the left flank, Sathish Kumar (Jr.) received and passed the ball to Xavier. Captain courageous coolly placed the ball to the goal thus saving his team from the blushes.

Change in kick-off time

Owing to inclement weather and fading light, match commissioner, Elloy Gomes has decided to start the matches 15 minutes before the schedules time. Effective from Friday, April 2 onwards, double header games start from 2 pm and 4 pm respectively. In the single game day, match starts from 4 pm.

Result:
 

HAL 2 (Xavier Vijayakumar-18' and 87') Vs Chandni FC 2 (Niyas Rehman-6' and Javed O K-20' [penalty])

Friday’s Match:

• SBT versus BEML, 2 pm
• Titanium versus HAL, 4 pm